American author Padma Venkatraman lived in five countries, explored rainforests, and was chief scientist on oceanographic vessels. Her novels, A Time to Dance, Island’s End and Climbing the Stairs, were released to multiple starred reviews and received several honors and awards. Her latest novel, The Bridge Home, a contender for the Global Read Aloud initiative, has received starred reviews in PW, Kirkus, Booklist and SLJ. A former keynote speaker, she is delighted to return to JRW.